One of the prerequisite in the appointment process of parliamentarians and ministers is being able to present credentials to these institutions. Credentials generally is referred to as documents which show who we are, or from which other information can be derived to state our individuality in a society and/or a country. We believe that this part of the process is enhancing the integrity procedure of our system of administration and record-keeping. However, to further fuel our criticism we have discovered the malpractice and misuse of this activity which is literally and practically violating our individuality, dignity, belongingness, constitutionality, human-rights, and economical-equality-rights. In Sint Maarten the credentials are obtained only after a certain tax-condition is met, and is issued by the Island Receivers Office. Certain technicalities involves that althought a candidate is willing, able, and ready to meet payment of taxes after being assessed by the tax-inspectorate, they may still not get an up-to-date credential due to the tax-inspectorate being delayed and reviewing the files of 2011. Therefore candidates may be left in limbo and the coordination of the background checks with the other departments are an obstruction of due process and due diligence. I personally believe that a persons tax-information as part of financial investigation could be vital if question arises, but not as a determinant factor in the placement of ministers and parliamentarians. Discrimination exists because those who donot meet this requirement of credentials will not be allowed placement in parliament or ministries. It means that competent candidates who have been collecting social-assistance and unable to keep uptodate with payment of taxes will be discriminated from government-office. The excuse that the credentials as a set of document to provide permission and information for further inquiries is against administrative procedures since other walk-in departments exists, and other investigative body can access any government departments keeping these information. Why should credentials be the compilation and the parliament and ministry be the place of convergence? We are still one government and we live in the age of computers. The tax-payers are contributing to a system which violates their human-rights and their progress as an individual in our country.
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 04:40:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015